Automatic time and program selector



JulYS, 1938. c. F. PETERS l- A- 2,122,779

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lNvENToR MZQNEYS July 5, 193s. c. F. PETERS y 2,122,779

AUTOMATIC TIME AND.-PROGRAM SELECTOR y Filed April 3, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR faz/"Jes 17 eef Patented July 5, 1938 AUTOMATIC TIME AND PROGRAM SELECTOR y Charles F. Peters, Great Kills, Staten Island,

Appnceuon Ain-11 3, 1936, serial No. 12,593

15 claim.A (ci. 25o-2o) in connection with its application to a home radio set, to which it is by no means restricted.

it is frequently desirable that the radio set over a period of hours automatically tune in different stations with different programs without making it necessary for the householder or owner of the set manually to turn off the program at its termination and then tune inthe newI program at each change of program.

AmonU the objects of the present invention are to provide a simple, durable, inexpensive and automatic selector system for a home radio station which will automatically turn on and off titre radio set at predetermined intervals and which will automatically tune in desired programs for periods of hours in accordance with the desires oi the owner of the set, all .without the necessity of using complicated and intricate control mechanisms and circuits readily subject to derangement.

Other objects will be obvious and well apparent during the course ot the following .speciflcaticns.

in accomplishing the above obiects, it lhas been found satisfactory to provide a spring or electrically driven clock construction, the hour hand of which may carry a movable contact arm.

The clock. may be conveniently provided with one or more contact rings, having recesses into which contact plugs may be selectively inserted at quarter, half hour or other time intervals.

The contact ofthe arm with a contact plug on the on circlecauses the radio set to be turned on and the tuning circuits are then set to a desired station. Subsequently thecontact arm in contacting with a contact plug on the off circle turns off the radio set.

To control the tuning of the set a motor driven tuning dial may be provided with a series of recesses, into which recesses contact plugs may be selectively inserted depending upon the succes sion of programs which it is desired to obtain.

In the preferred arrangement the tuning dial has radial graduations corresponding to the sta- 55 tions or frequencies, and circumferential graduations corresponding to the succession of programs which it is indicated to obtain.

Ordinarily this tuning dial is associated with a series of spring ngers, one for each circumferential graduation. These fingers are succes- 5 sively connected in the circuit by an automatic selector switch, so that for each successive action of an on circle contact, the next spring fingerand circular graduation on the tuning dial are connected into the motor cut-01T circuit.

Ordinarily the on circuit established by the clock contact arm will operate the motor to turn the tuning dial to th'e desired station, determined by contact of a selected spring finger and a contact plug causing establishment of another circuit to stop the motor and prevent further movement of the tuning dial.

VThe tuning dial then Will remain fixed until the next on circuit is established where upon it will be actuated to tune in the new station and bring in the new program.

The arrangement may also be provided with an alternative on circle for optional short wave reception which will actuate a short wave switch leading to the set.

in one construction, the motor is reversed after each movement of the tuning dial so that the movement o the dial each time will be opposite to that ofthe movement of the last time. This reverse arrangement will accommodate the usual type of radio dial in which the dial is not completely rotatable but must be swung backwardly and forwardly.

In the drawings: Fig. i is a schematic layout of the system showing the control clock, the tuning dial, the step-by-step switch and the various connections between these elements.

llg. 2 is a plan view of the clock on an enlarged scale illustrating the recesses for the contact plugs.

Fig. 3 is a prospective view of a contact plug upon an enlarged scale which may be inserted Y in the clock of Fig. 2 and in the dials of Figs, 4 and 5.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan View of the tuning dial.

Fig. 5 is an alternative form of tuning dial which may be employed, land,

Fig. 6 illustrates an escapement control for the step-by-step switch.

Referring to Fig. 1 the clock Ill is provided with a minute hand Il and am hour hand I2, hands which are driven` in the usual manner through shafts at i3.

The hour hand I2 is provided with a contact 55 extension I4, which swings over the on circles I5 for normal wave lengths and, I6 for short wave lengths, and the off circle I1.

These circles I5, I6 and I1 which are shown in greater detail in Fig. 2 consist of metallic rings', placed if desired upon transparent panels I8, of an insulating material which may be of a transparent resin or glass.

The clock I6 is provided with the hourly gradnations I9, the half-hour graduations 26 and the quarter-hour graduations 2i. At these graduations on each contact ring or metallic circle I5, I6 and I1 are placed the recesses 22, 23 and 24 respectively, which recesses may be tapped, if desired, to receive the threaded Shanks 25 of. the plugs 26.

'I'he plugs 26 have knurled finger grip portions 28, peaked contact portions 29 and extensions 30, which latter also may serve as contact elements.

The extension I4, in swinging over the dials I5, I6 and I1 will contact with the contact points 29. where the threaded shanks 25 are threaded into the openings 22, 23 and 24.

This will establish a circuit through the lead-in wire 3| connected to the shafts I3, from the battery or transformer 32, 'the on circle I5, the lead 33, the solenoid switch 34, and the lead 58 to the other side of the battery 32.

The solenoid switch 34 thus energized will close the circuit including 110 volt source 48, and

nold switch 52 causing a closure of the circuit 46,

53, 54, 55, 56 and 51 to the radio set.

As the hour hand I2 continues to move clockwise the contact arm I4 will meet and pass over a plug 26 on the oil circle and this will close the circuit through the leads 55 and 15 to the solenoid switch 52, which will turn off the radio set at the end of the program.

The tuning dial 43 is provided with a plurality of radial graduations 56 and circumferential graduations 51.

At the intersections between the radial gradua tions and the `circumferential graduations are positioned the tapped openings or sleeves to receive the plugs 26, and these are arranged so either the top portions 29 or the bottom portions 36 may establish a contact with the selector iingers 59, which as indicated in Fig. 1, are separated from each other and each connected to a different circuit 60 leading to the contact points 6I on the dial 62 of the step-by-step switch 63.

In the normal operation, the plugs 26,will bel `will not be eil'ective to establish 4a circuit upon contact with the plugs 26 in the other circular graduations 51.

The spring fingers 59 are of such a character that the contact elements of Fig. 3 may readily pass or snap under them, without diiiiculty and Without loosening the plugs 26.

The step-by-step switch 63 is actuated successively to cause the Contact hand 64 to contact with one after another of the Contact points 6I on the dial 62. This will establish a circuit through the shaft 65 and the leads 6I), 66, 14, 94 and 95 to the battery 32 and through the solenoid of, the normally closed switch 45, opening said switch.

When the plug 26 in the proper circle 51 contacts the leaf 59, connected in the circuit by the step-by-step switch 63, therefore the motor will be switched off by the solenoid switch 45. reversing switch 38 will be thrown over so as to turn the motor in the reverse direction when the dial has completed its movement in any one direction.

The reversing switch 38 may be operated by a lug (not shown) on the shaft 42 or dial 43.

II desired, the reversing switch may readily be eliminated and the dial 43 may be arranged so as to be capable of continuous rotation in either direction.

The step-by-step switch 63 is turned by means4 of the ratchet 61, and the pawl 68. The pawl 68 is carried by the spring return armature 69, said armature 69 being received in the solenoid 18. The solenoid 10 has one lead 1I leading to the on circle I5 'and is provided with a second lead 12 connected to the battery 32.

The escapement of Fig. 6 may also be employed to turn the switch 63, similarly functioning parts being indicated by the same numerals primed.

Each time the on circle is actuated the solenoid switch 52 Will be actuated to turn on the radio set, the switch 34 will be actuated to start the motor 4I to turn the dial 43 and the solenoid 10 will be energized to move the ratchet 1I one contact 6I placing another finger in the circuit.

Since the contact across the extension I4 will be maintained for a considerable length of time, the motor 4I will have the opportunity to move the dial until the proper plugr 26 contacts with selected finger 59 which has been connected into the circuit by the step-by-step switch 63.

When the contact is made between the proper plug 26 and finger 59, the motor 4I will be stopped by the throwing out of the switch 65.

Instead of a ratchet drive for the step-by-stcp switch 63, it lis possible also to be utilized an es capment operated by a spring as shown in Fig. 6, or a step-by-step bar drop type breaking contact.

In Fig. 6, is shown an escapement control for the step-by-step switch 63 with a coil spring |20 biasing said toothed escapement wheel 61 to turn it a complete revolution in one direction.

The lever 66' of the reciprocating yoke I22 will swing on the pivot I2I with successive energizations of the solenoid 16 and its core 69', whichoccur with each circuit closure by the clock extension I4 touching a contact plug 26.

Each vsuch reciprocation will move the wheel 61' one tooth |23. Each tooth I23 corresponds to a contact point 6I in the dial G2 and each such movement will place the arm 64 in contact with the next contact point 6 I.

In the case of both the ratchet arrangement of Fig. 1 and the escapement arrangement of Fig. 6, the shaft of the arrangement permits a sliding movement of the toothed wheels against a spring `by a handle (not shown) permitting them to be disengaged from the actuating pawls. Upon such disengagement the toothed wheels and attached The dial may be turned back to zero position, permitting the device to be reset to starting position. This will rewind the spring of the escapement in vconnection with the device oi Fig. 6.

The dial 43 may also be hand controlled without disturbing the plugs 26. This may be done by adding a hand knob to the dial B3.

The recesses 22, 23 and 24 of the clock dial l0 and 58 and 58 of the tuning dials 43 and 43 may be formed of metallic socket members in an insulating base and suitably joined by wires.

A slotted guide may be conveniently arranged to guide the outer end of the extension Il to hold it in position and prevent it bending outwardly or inwardly and thus assure a firm contact ofthe extension i4 with peaks 29.

The dial of Fig. 4 may also be arranged so that graduations extend only part way, instead of all the way around it.

It Vwill thus be seen that there is' herein described apparatus in which the several features of this invention are embodied, and which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention and is well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As manychanges could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained lin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic time clock, switch and station selector adapted for radio receiving sets comprising a time clock, a tuning dial, a motor to drive said dial, circuit closing means on both said clock and dial to close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths respectively and a set switch operated by one of said circuits to turn on the set, said motor being started by one of said circuits established by the clockl and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said circuit closing means on said clock and dial including recesses on the clock and dial and plugs to be received therein, each of said plugs being provided with a thin extension to be inserted in one of said recesses and with an enlarged head and contact fingers carried by said clock and positioned adjacent said dial to contact said plugs and close the desired circuits, the

recesses of said dial being arranged in rows, each of said rows receiving one plug at a position lcorresponding to a certain station to be tuned in and means to connect a plug in a different row in the circuit each time a circuit is established by the circuit closing means on the clock.

2. An automatic time clock, switch and station selector adapted for radio receiving sets comprising a time clock, a tuning dial, a motor to drive said dial, circuit closer means on both said clock and dial to close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths `respectively and a set switch operated by one of said circuits to turn on the set, said motor being started by one of said circuits established bythe clock and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said clock being provided with three metallic rings mounted on an'insulating base, one to turn the set and motor on,.one to turn the set off and one to turn the set on to short wave lengths, when the circuits are closed respectively therethrough.

3. Anautomatic time clock, switch and station selector adapted for home radio sets comprising a time clock, a tuning dial, a motor to drive said dial, circuit closer means on both said clock and dial to close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths respectively and a set switch operated by one of said circuits' to turn on the set, said motor being started by one o! said circuits established by the clock and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said clock comprising a dial with an insulating base and three metallic .rings carrying recesses, contact plugs tobe received in said recesses and an arm extension to contact said plugs.

4. An automatic time clock, switch and station selector adapted for home radio sets comprising a time clock, a tuning dial, a motor to drive said dial, circuit closer means on both said clock and dial to close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths respectively and a set switch operated byone of said circuits to turn on the set, said motor being started by one of said circuits established by the clock and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said tuning dial including rows of radial and circumferential graduations, recesses on said circumfer-4 ential graduations,/contact iingers one for each row of circular graduations and contact plugs to be inserted in said circumferential graduations.

5. An automatic time clock, switch and station selector adapted for home radio sets comprising a time clock, a tuning dial, a motor to drive said dial, circuit closer means on both said clock and dial to close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths respectively and a set switch operated by one of said circuits to turn on the set, said motor being started by one of said circuits established by the clock and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said tuning dial including rows of radial and circumferentlal graduations, recesses on said circumferential graduations, contact iingers one for each row of circular graduations and contact plugs to be inserted in said circumferential graduations, said dial being ilat.

6. An automatic time clock, switch and-station selector adapted for home radio sets comprising a time clock, a tuning dial, a motor to drive said dial, circuit closer means on both said clock and dial to close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths respectively and a set switch operated by one `of said circuits to turn 50 on the set, said motor being started by one-of said circuits established by the clock and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said vtuning dial including rows of circumferential dial to `close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths respectively and a set switch operated by one of said circuits to turn on the set, said motor being started by one of said circuits established by the clock and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said tuning dial including rows of radial and circumferential graduations, recesses on said circumferential graduations, contact fingers one for each row of circular graduations and contact plugs to be inserted in said circumferential graduations,

and step-by-step switch means to successively 1Q place one after another oi' said fingers in the actuating circuit.

8. An automatic time clock, switch and station .selector adapted for home radio sets comprising a time clock, a tuning dial, a motor to drive said dial, circuit closer means on both said clock and dial to close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths respectively and a set switch operated by one of said circuits to turn on the set, said motor being started by one oi said circuits established by the clock and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said tuning dial including rows of radial and circumi'erential graduations, recesses on said circumferential graduations, contact fingers one for each row of circular graduations, and step-by-step switch means to successively place one after another of said fingers in the actuating circuit, said switch means being operated by a solenoid ratchet arrangement.

9. An automatic time clock, switch and station selector adapted for home radio sets comprising a time clock, a tuning dial, a motor to drive said dial, circuit closer means on both said clock and dial to close circuits at predetermined times and stations or wave lengths respectively and a set switch operated by one of said circuits to turn on the set, said motor being started by one of said circuits established by the clock and being stopped by a circuit established by said dial, said tuning dial including rows of radial and circumferential graduations, recesses on said circumferential graduations, contact fingers one for each row ot circular graduations, and contact plugs to be inserted in said circumferential graduations, and step-by-step switch means to successively place one after another of said ilngers in the actuating circuit, said switch means being operated by a spring-escapement arrangement.

10. In a time scheduled radio receiving system, a radio set, a set switch for said radio set, a tuning dial, a motor connected to drive said tuning dial, a motor switch for actuating said motor, a clock, a plurality of switch. elements associated with said clock, circuits extending from said switch elements to said set and motor switches associated with said clock, means to 'enable adjustment of said switch elements so as' to cause closure of said circuits at predetermined times and thereby to cause closure of said motor and set switches, said tuning dial also being provided with a plurality of contact devices and circuits extending between said contact devices 'and said motor switch, additional closing means 'associated with said last-mentioned circuits, to close only` one of said circuits at a time, said additional closing means including a step by step witch and being actuated by said clock, and

glaid last-mentioned circuits being also subject to closure at said contact devices, said contact devices closing the one of said last circuits closed by said additional closing means and opening said motor switch when said set has been tuned to the desired station, and a reversing switch actuated by said motor to reverse said motor justment of said switch elements so as to cause closure of said circuits at predetermined times and thereby to cause closure oi said motor and set switches, said tuning dial also being provided with a plurality of Contact devices and circuits extending between said contact devices and said motor switch, additional closing means associated with said last-mentioned circuits, to close only one of said circuits at a time, said additional closing means including a step by step switch and being actuated by said clock, and said lastmentioned circuits being also subject to closure at said contact devices, said contact devices closing the one of said last circuits closed by said additional closing means and opening said motor switch when said set has been tuned to the desired station, said tuning dial being provided with a plurality of circles side by side to receive said contact devices and a circuit arrangement to successively place the contact devices upon the next circle in the circuit when the next program is to be received.

12. In a time scheduled radio receiving system, a radio set, a set switch for said radio set, a tuning dial, a motor connected to drive -said tuning dial, a motor switch for actuating said motor, a clock, a'plurality of adjustable contact elements on said clock, a rotating wiper element actuated by said clock to successively contact said contact elements, circuits extending from said wiper and contact elements to said set and motor switches, means to enable adjustment of said contact elements so as to cause closure of said circuits at pre-determined times by contact with said wiper element and thereby to cause closure of said motor and set switches, said tuning dial also being provided with a plurality of adjustable contact elements and wiper elements arranged in cooperating pairs, circuits extending between said last mentioned pairs and said motor switch, and a solenoid operated switch means to place only one of said last mentioned pairs at a time in the motor circuit, said last mentioned pairs when in circuit causing opening of said motor switch when said set bas been tuned to the desired station and means automatically actuated by circuits closed by said wiper and contact elements at said clock to actuate said solenoid operated switch means.

13. In a time scheduled radio receiving system, a radio set, a set switch for said radio set, a tuning dial, a motorconnected to drive said tuning dial, a motor switch for actuating said motor, a clock, a plurality of adjustable contact elements 0n said clock, a rotating wiper element actuated by said clock to successively contact said contacts, primary circuits extending from vsaid elements to said set and motor switches,

means to enable adjustment of said clock contact elements so as to cause closure of said circuits at predetermined times by contact with said wiper element and thereby to cause closure of said motor and set switches, said tuning dial also being provided with a plurality of adjustable contact elements and wiper elements arranged in cooperating pairs, secondary circuits extending between said last mentioned pairs of elements and said motor switch, and a solenoid operated switch means to place only one of said last mentioned pairs at a time in the motor circuit, said last mentioned pairs closing one of said secondary circuits and causing opening of said motor switch when said set has been tuned to the desired station and means automatically actuated by primary circuits closed at Aalarme/9 said clock to actuate said solenoid operated switch means, said solenoid switch means including ax a tuning dial, a motor connected to drive said tuning dial, a motor switch for actuating said motor, a clock, a plurality of adjustable contact elements on said clock, a rotating wiper element actuated by said clock to successively contact said contacts, circuits extending fromv said elements to said set and motor switches, means to enable adjustment of said contact elements so as to cause closure of said circuits at predetermined times by contact with said wiper element and thereby to cause closure of said motor and set switches, said tuning dial also being provided with a plurality of adjustable contact elements and wiper elements arranged in cooperating pairs, circuits extending between said last mentioned elements and said motor switch, and a solenoid' operated switch means to place only one of said last mentioned wiper elements at a time in the motor circuit, said last mentioned contact elements closing one of said last mentioned circuits and opening said motor switch when said set has been tuned to the desired station and means automatically actuated by circuits closed by the elements on said clock to actuate said solenoid operated switch means, said means including a `step by step switch having a pawl and ratchet.'

15. In a time scheduled radio receiving system, a radio set, a set switch for said radio set, a. tuning dial, a motor connected to drive said 'tuning dial, a motor switch for actuating vsaid motor, a clock, a plurality of adjustable contact elements on said clock, a rotating wiper element actuated by said clock to successively contact said contacts, circuits extending'from said elementsA to said set and motor switches, means to enable adjustment of said'contact eiements so as tc cause closure of said circuits at predetermined times by contact with said wiper element and thereby to cause closure of said motor and set switches, said tuning dial also being provided with a plurality of adjustable contact elements and wiper elements arranged in cooperating pairs, circuits extending between said last mentioned elements and said motor switch, and a solenoid operated switch means to place only one of said last mentioned wiper elements at a time in the motor circuit, said last mentioned contact eiements closing one of said last mentioned circuits and opening said motor switch when said set has been tuned to the desired station and means f automatically actuated by circuits closed by the elements on said clock to actuate said solenoid operated switch means, said solenoid switch means having an escapement arrangement.y

CHARLES F. PETERS. 

